Nowadays, companies across the globe are relying on cloud-based platforms to perform a range of critical workflows. They store their CRM information on the cloud. They manage their payrolls through the cloud. They also manage HR processes using the cloud. This means that they’re entrusting the majority of their business information to these cloud service providers, too.

And while most major cloud providers do a decent job of keeping data secure, the majority of business users take an upload-it-and-forget-it approach to their data security needs. That, it’s safe to add — is risky.

Cloud service providers can only safeguard a company’s data when the business is adhering to certain cloud security best practices. It’s good to know that they’re not too difficult to follow. Here are four of the most crucial cloud security tips that companies need to incorporate into their cloud services immediately.

Never Skip Selection Due Diligence

Businesses must conduct due diligence when selecting cloud providers. Assess provider reputation, security practices, and user agreements. Identify stored data and security measures against unauthorized access. Verify guarantees and support for data breaches. Choose more reliable alternatives if needed.

Create a Bulletproof Access Management Strategy

Another vital cloud security practice involves developing and implementing a unified access management strategy. Many cloud-dependent businesses encounter security challenges due to fragmented authentication and access management systems, leading to poor credential management and permissions creep.

To address these issues, it’s advisable to consolidate authentication and access management using a single sign-on (SSO) provider. Additionally, all accounts, regardless of platform, should mandate multifactor authentication and undergo regular access rights reviews. Lastly, proactive measures should be taken to prevent identity theft, as this issue is increasingly prevalent. It’s crucial to act preemptively to mitigate potential risks before they escalate.

Improve User Education and Implement Malware Security

In the end, the final accountability for data security lies on those who have access to the data. Without proper education and training, the majority of users are only an unintentionally opened email one click away from enabling an attack on data. This is why it’s a best practice for cloud security to ensure adequate training for all users before granting access to any important information or business systems.

A third security measure is to use the malware and threat prevention solution designed specifically for cloud-hosted deployments. They provide security through uploaded data scans and proactive threat defence, which prevents unauthorized users from accessing cloud-hosted data. While they’re not a substitute for a trained and well-aware user base, they do make great insurance policies against accidental human error.

Practice Data Minimization

The last thing to mention is that businesses should take measures to reduce the amount of information they’re giving to cloud service providers. In the end, it’s not necessary to safeguard information that wasn’t stored in the first place. The goal is to fine-tune business processes so that they only collect the necessary information for their operation.

For instance, running a pipeline of deals on the cloud requires the storage of certain personally identifiable client information. However, it doesn’t need any tangible financial data or any other details to be successful. Therefore, it’s important to define that in a way that ensures that everyone doesn’t include any unnecessary information.

This is a significant step towards creating a plan of data minimization which decreases the company’s risk of being vulnerable in the cloud. Also depending on the type of data that is involved there could be a legal requirement that businesses have to adhere to. Whatever the case cutting down on the amount of amount of data stored across different cloud platforms can simplify everything related to data security, from managing, to access control and curation. It is a must and must be the primary focus of what businesses do online.

The Bottom Line

In summary, cloud-based platforms and applications have become indispensable for businesses of all sizes, including AVIANET. With their enduring presence and the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, businesses must leverage these tools effectively to mitigate risks and ensure data security. Neglecting this imperative has led to significant costs for many businesses, but by taking data security seriously and adhering to the best practices outlined earlier, including those recommended by AVIANET, businesses can steer clear of such pitfalls and safeguard their operations for the future.